SEL Instructor

Embright Education; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 14,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Training & development

Job summary

Embright Education seeks dedicated program instructors to deliver hands-on curricula to Pre-K to 8 students across New Jersey. Responsibilities include lesson planning, in-person instruction, and supporting school culture with activities and materials.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed practices and mindfulness to boost student well-being. The position offers a flexible schedule during school hours, ongoing training, and opportunities for professional development in a mission-driven

Qualifications

• Passion for working with youth and engaging diverse learners.
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport with students and school community.
• Responsive to emails/texts within 24–48 hours; collaborative mindset.
• Ability to travel across New Jersey to deliver in-person instruction; reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Complete training and certification to teach the curriculum.
• Prepare lesson plans and deliver the approved curriculum in educational settings throughout New Jersey.
• Support school culture by providing activities and materials to teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and staff.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Program Coordinator to assess demographics and needs.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings (virtual and in-person); participate in PD sessions.
• Submit timesheets for payroll; maintain documentation and reports.
• Gather and report program data, including attendance and assessments.

Skills

Passion for working with youth

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Collaboration

Microsoft Teams

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

New Jersey teaching certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Training & development

Embright Education’s mission is to ensure that all youth are equipped with effective problem-solving skills and coping strategies to navigate through life. Our vision is to make an impact on the youth we serve.

Embright Education prides itself on providing unique, comprehensive programming that promotes overall mental health well-being, utilizing a trauma-informed lens and restorative practices. Throughout our spiraling Pre-K to 8 curricula, emphasis is placed on developing positive self-esteem and assertive decision‑making. Course topics include peer pressure, healthy relationships, conflict resolution, safety (including Internet and social media), substance awareness, and violence prevention. We incorporate and teach mindfulness practices for grounding, emotional regulation, and effective coping skills. Our teen program puts this learning into action, empowering high school students to go into the community with service projects and relationship‑building activities. Research indicates that when these foundational concepts and skills are learned early in life, there is a significant increase in both academic and overall life success.

Embright Education’s programs currently serve over 8,000 New Jersey students annually in grades Pre-K to 8, representing diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete all required training and certification (10-12 weeks of mentoring) to teach the curriculum.
• Prepare lesson plans and deliver the approved curriculum in educational settings throughout New Jersey.
• Support school culture by providing activities and materials to teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and staff.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Program Coordinator to assess the demographics and needs of each school district.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings (virtual and in-person).
• Attend and actively participate in at least five professional development (PD) sessions per year.
• Complete at least 20 hours of training sessions annually (or equivalent) to maintain certification.
• Collect and report program data, including attendance, assessments, anecdotal records, and surveys.
• Ensure timely completion of internal documents (training logs, incident reports, etc.).
• Submit timesheets for payroll promptly to ensure timely payment.
• Participate in annual reviews and classroom observations conducted by staff, board members, or donors.
• Gather all necessary documents, materials, and supplies to effectively administer programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Passion for working with youth;
• Excellent communication skills, including written, oral, and presentation;
• Ability to build rapport with students and school community;
• Ability to effectively collaborate with Embright team; respond to emails/texts within 24-48 hours.
• Use of Microsoft Teams (training provided).

• Must be able to travel to various program sites across New Jersey to deliver in–person instruction. Reliable transportation is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual candidates are strongly preferred due to the diverse populations we serve.
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in public administration, education, social work, health care, social sciences, or a related area or equivalent;
• A minimum of two years’ experience or equivalent educational knowledge;
• New Jersey teaching certification is a plus, but not required.
• Experience working with school-aged children in a group and semi‑structured setting;

Schedule:

Flexible schedule during school hours (typically 8am–3pm, Monday–Friday), with possible after‑school hours in certain districts (typically 4–6pm, one afternoon per week) and a monthly 1-hour virtual evening staff meeting.

Time Commitment:

Commitment of at least 12 hours per week is expected.

Please note: While we aim to provide consistent opportunities, actual hours may vary depending on lesson demand and district contracts. As such, we cannot guarantee a specific number of hours each week.

Location:

Mercer County, NJ

Please note: Location availability is not guaranteed and may change based on district needs. New locations are added regularly, and assignments are fluid.

Embright Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual preference, disability, condition, or any other group protected by law.